Voyages to the Americas

Objectives

The learner will: Discuss Christopher Columbus’ goal. Identify what areas Columbus explored in the

Americas.

Columbus’ Bold Idea Christopher Columbus, a sailor from Genoa,

Italy, wanted to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean to reach Asia.

The voyage was considered risky, because many believed that Asia was too distant.

Spanish Involvement

King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella ruled Spain. Agreed to pay for Columbus’ expedition and

promised him the position of viceroy, or royal governor, of the lands he explored.

Columbus was ordered to bring back any pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, and spices.

He was told to claim any land he explored for Spain.

They promised him some of the gold he would send back, some of the profits from trading, and governorship of the lands he explored.

Crossing the Ocean

Columbus’ expedition departed Spain on August 3, 1492.

Columbus’ three ships the Nina, Pinta, and the Santa Maria with 90 sailors sailed for the Canary Islands.

After sailing from the Canary Islands Columbus sighted land on October12, 1492.

The journey from the Canary Islands took 33 days.

Columbus’s First Explorations

Landed in Bahamas but believed he was at the coast of China or the islands of Japan.

He called the island San Salvador which means “ Holy Savior”.

Europe Learns of Columbus’s Voyage

Columbus was made an admiral and governor. He called these people Indians because he

believed that he had reached the Indies. Established settlement on Hispaniola called La

Navidad before returning to Spain in 1493.

Second VoyageWith 17 ships, 1,200 men and boys including sailors,

soldiers, colonists, priests, officials, gentlemen of the court, and horses, Columbus set out on another journey to the west. He left the port of Cadiz, Spain, on September 25, 1493.

Third Voyage The monarchs financed yet another voyage for

Columbus. On May 30, 1498, Columbus set sail with six ships.

After a stop at the Canary Islands, three ships set sail for Hispaniola and three with Columbus at the lead, took a southern route.

On July 31, still searching for China, the great explorer discovered the islands of Trinidad, Tobago, Grenada, and Margarita.

He believed that he had spotted yet another island, but actually he had discovered the mainland of the South American continent

Fourth Voyage• Anxious to win back his good name and discover

riches in the Far East, Columbus set sail once again for the new lands.

• He left Cadiz on May 9, 1502, with four ships and 150 crewmen, one being his 13-year-old son, Diego. He arrived in Hispaniola on June 29.

Columbus’s Later Voyages

Columbus returned in 1493 to discover La Navidad had been destroyed.

He enslaved the Taino against Isabella’s wishes.

Columbus made two more voyages and died in 1506.